Economic Thinking of Swami Vivekananda, Mahatma Gandhi and Rabindranath Tagore (In The Light of Modern Theory of Economic Development)

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Modern theory of economic development has evolved over time. During this process of its historical changes there were a number of paradigm shifts—all trying to make the theory more realistic and relevant. It is, of course, realized that there are some fundamentals of economic growth process depends in all circumstances. In this book we have tried to find out to what extent three great men could pin point those fundamentals. In some cases they succeeded, in other cases there were confusions galore. So far as the fundamentals of economic growth are concerned modern theory of economic development has no difference with the economic thinking of the above three men. But occasionally they deviated from the path which they initially adopted from the path which they initially adopted. Herein lies the definite improvement of modern theory over the social and economic thinking of these three great souls of India. We have tried to analyse the problems threadbare. How far we have succeeded our readers will judge.

They primary aim of this book is to analyze the economic ideas of three great men of India: Swami Vivekananda, Mahatma Gandhi and Rabindranath Tagore – in the light of modern theory of economic developments. Swamiji was an ascetic but with a keen practical sense; Gandhiji was a level-headed politician, often wily in his negotiations with his adversaries. Tagore was a lyrical poet with a universal outlook. All of them, however, had one thing in common. They were all social thinkers and deeply interested in the uplift of the people. In their own ways they suggested remedies by which our social and economic life could be made better and richer. It is well known that social thinking of any person reflects some basic philosophy of his own. These three great men of India had different philosophies of life, which were reflected in their suggestion for socio-economic change. In spite of that, as social thinkers, their suggested prescriptions for improving the economic condition of the people had some common features. On the face of it this may seem rather strange and somewhat puzzling. But this strangeness disappears and soon as we realize that there a relationship between philosophy and economics, even though both philosophy and economics are separate and substantive intellectual disciplines.

Modern theory of economic development has evolved over time. During this process of its historical changes there were a number of paradigm shifts—all trying to make the theory more realized that there are and relevant. It is, of course, realized that there are some fundamentals of economic growth on which the entire growth process depends in all circumstances. In this book we have tried to find out to what extent there great men could pin point those fundamentals. In some cases they succeeded, in other cases there were confusions galore. So far as the fundamentals of economic growth are concerned modern theory of economic development has no difference with the economic thinking of the above three men. But occasionally they deviated from the path which they initially adopted. Herein lies the definite improvement of modern theory over the social and economic thinking of these three great souls of India. We have tried to analyse the problem threadbare. How far we have succeeded our readers will judge.

Now the job of acknowledgment. My two well-educated daughters, Susmita and Sumita, occasionally made some comments and criticisms which, indeed, had substance. My wife took constant are of my failing ill health. But for her support, perhaps, I would not have survived. I must thank them for the trouble they took in showing some interest in my work. Now about the logistic help I have received. The librarian of the Ramakrishna Mission Institute of Culture has helped me enormously by allowing me to use the library freely and frequently. In this respect the Swami Gitatmananda lent me appropriate books and relevant journals without which the gestation period of the book would have been much longer. Further, I owe a great debt to Ramakrishna Mission Institute of Culture, Golpark for agreeing to publish this book. Finally, I must gratefully acknowledge my debt to Swami Suparananda Maharaj for writing a foreword to this book which must have enhanced the importance of the work that I have done.

Professor H.N. Roy, a very successful and favourite teacher of Economics of our time, has engaged himself after retirement in capturing the true images of three great sons of our country, namely, Rabindranath, Swami Vivekananda and Mahatma Gandhi. All of them sacrificed a lot for the country and among them, Swamiji’s sacrifice was total. All of them established Ashramas of their own to carry out their innovative programmes for social uplift. All of them were extremely sensitive to their method of work. Tagore wanted to start it through Santiniketan and Sriniketan; Swamiji through Ramakrishna Mission and Mahatma through Sabarmati. While none of them had any definite plan for economic development of the nation as the Economists do have, all of them had deep faith in Economics of Provision. Everybody will provide things for everybody else and thus live in’ co-operation and help, All of them disseminated love, sacrifice and service without any greed for gain therefrom. They all worked for Welfare Economics, in effect. Of course, the nation, All of them, in fact, wanted a policy-mix of cottage and heavy industries for quick and sustainable development. Professor Roy, always a brilliant thinker, has provided an incisive analysis of the much-needed outlook of synthesis in his book entitled Economic Thinking of swami Vivekananda, Mahatma Gandhi and Rabindranath Tagore in the Light of Modern Theory of Economic Development. The book will surely be an enjoyable read.